I use the cup warmer so I have to clear the cups off the top in order to get to the water tank. Some day I'll hook up to a water supply.

Detailed Commentary

Once I decided to purchase an espresso machine I spent many hours reading anything I could get my hands on. I looked at all the usual suspects that people talk about when looking at machines in this price point. Came very close to a Bezzera machine.

I purchased from Whole latte love without any issues. I found them very helpful answering my questions pre an post purchase. Machine arrived packed extremely well. It did not take me long to unpack and set it up. I had watched so many videos on set up and brewing techniques I was able to get right to it. Took me about 6-7 pulls to get get the grind and dose right. I found the pressure guage very helpful during this process.

Steam wand seems very powerful. I have nothing to compare it to. Steaming milk Has proved to be the biggest challenge. It has taken about a month for me to get textured milk that looks and tastes similar to my local coffee shop. I can't get anything that resembles latte art. I don't think this is the machines fault because I am getting better every time.

I had hoped to use the hot water wand to make Americanos. After a month of use I have found the wand better suited to warm my espresso cups and use a kettle to boil hot water for Americanos. In my opinion the water tastes a little off. I try to keep fresh water in the boiler.

Everything on my machine works as its suppose to. Highly polished heavy duty construction. No issues. Very happy with my purchase.

Buying Experience

Purchased from whole Latte Love. No issues pre or post purchase. I have called a few times and was able to get my questions answered immediately. A brass adapter that was suppose to come with the machine was missing. They sent me one out the day I called. The adapter is used for hooking up to a water supply.